My heart is heavy today. Honestly, my heart has been breaking most of the year when it comes to this election and all an election year entails. Not so much because of the candidates. Not so much because of anything the candidates are doing or have said. But primarily because of the way I have seen and heard Christians acting when it comes to politics. Though in all reality politics brings it out the most right now, there’s so much more than just politics.
The combination of social media and politics specifically, reveals the universal struggle we all have with the inner self. Paul speaks to this in Romans 7 when he says, “For I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate.” He reveals the inner struggle between wanting to do one thing but doing the opposite. Brennan Manning calls this the imposter. The inner self who tricks and deceives, yet is very much a part of us. And this is exactly what I see when it comes to most people on social media. People post on social media things in such a way they would never express their thoughts in person. Social media has made this distention all the more evident between our two natures. And it is crippling the Church.
In Jesus’ final prayer, He prayed the Church would be one as He and His Father in Heaven are one. When Jesus sent out His disciples in John 13, He tells them, “By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” Our love for one another will be a major, if not the one thing, that shows others we are His disciples. As a Christian, I am ashamed of how divided the Church has become over something as, ultimately, insignificant and temporary as politics. My salvation is not determined by whoever is president. There is no foundation to question one’s faith or salvation based on their vote. Scripture, and history, tells us no government or nation will last forever. It is important we support our nation and vote for the convictions we hold. But this is not our home.
We do not belong in this world. I fully believe we should be involved and we should vote. We should do what we can to make this world the best it can be while we are here. We should care for those who are marginalized in our society. We should rescue those who are forced into human trafficking. We should defend those who are abused and neglected. We should speak for those who have not yet been born. We should love those who are not loved. These are not things any government can regulate.
This is what we, as Christians, have been commanded to do by Jesus; to love God and love people. We cannot allow ourselves to be so distracted by anything that takes our focus off the mission of loving God and loving people. Jesus did not come to make new laws and effect public policy. He came serving others. He met people where they were and met their needs. If we are to truly be His disciples, we must do the same.